Quality Assessment of Some Alcohol-Based Hand Sanitizers Circulating in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. Nigeria

Background The emergence of corona virus disease caused by SARS-COV-2 (Covid-19) and the subsequent recommendation by the World Health Organization (WHO) on the use of non-pharmaceutical measures led to an upsurge in the production and sale of hand sanitizers across the globe including Nigeria. It is important that product regulation schemes are designed in such a way as to ensure the continual quality of the products to potential clients. Hence, this paper provides an understanding of the quality of alcohol based hand sanitizers in Abuja, Nigeria. Methods A total of fifty (50) different brands of alcohol-based hand sanitizers were purchased from different pharmacies, supermarkets, and stores, within Abuja. In the laboratory, samples were checked for their label claims, NAFDAC registration number, batch number, manufacturing and expiration dates. The information was recorded in the laboratory notebook in accordance with ISO 17025 requirement, then samples were coded as SAN1 to SAN50 and assessed for pH values and Alcohol Content. Results About 40% of the circulating hand sanitizers in the market did not go through regulatory vetting, 34% of the products did not have information on the country of manufacture, 32% of the sanitizers had pH values within acceptable range, while 78% of the products contained less than 60% alcohol. Conclusion This study gives an insight into the quality of alcohol-based hand sanitizers and we suggest an urgent need for the regulatory authorities of developing countries to enhance their surveillance and control of these substandard products in the society.

Medical management of silicone oil associated acute postoperative ocular inflammation

We report a case of a 57-year-old man, who underwent right eye silicone oil injection as a part of his surgical treatment for rhegmatogenous retinal detachment. Following this, on the first postoperative day, he developed acute postoperative intraocular inflammation. There was circumciliary congestion, diffuse corneal oedema, anterior chamber (AC) reaction, hypopyon and a pupillary membrane. The AC had not been entered during the surgery. No patients, who had been operated on the same day, or with the materials having the same batch number, developed similar reactions. We started the patient on hourly topical steroids and cycloplegics after which the patient’s condition showed gradual improvement. At the 2 weeks follow-up appointment, his pupillary membrane had completely contracted and the AC was quiet. This case highlights a clinical picture of acute postoperative silicone oil-induced ocular inflammation, which was resolved through medical management.

QUALITY AND COST SAVING OF USING PATIENT’S OWN MEDICINES IN MULTIDISCIPLINARY WARD OF HOSPITAL SUNGAI BAKAP, PULAU PINANG, MALAYSIA

Patient's Own Medicines (POMs) are medicines that were prescribed by the doctor or bought by patient and had been brought to hospital for treatment in ward. Patients were advised to bring POMs for better continuation of treatment. The objectives of this study were to assess the quality of POMs and determine the cost saving of POMs in multidisciplinary wards of Hospital Sungai Bakap (HSB). A prospective observational study was conducted from 1st January 2019 to 31st December 2019. The participation involved all patients admitted to the multidisciplinary wards that brought their own medicines during the study period. The quality of the medications was assessed by clinical pharmacists prior to be used as POMs. The criteria includes the name of medicine, strength, date of supplied, name and address of original supplier, physical appearance, colour, expiration date, batch number, date of opening for insulin and its storage. Data were collected using data collection form and were analysed using Microsoft Excel. As for the results, from the total patients that brought POMs, 136 (61%) were from male ward and 88 (39%) from female ward. Most of the patients that brought POMs were from middle age group, 60–69 years old (28.6%). However, when compared to the total number of admission, patient from age group 70–79 years old has the highest percentage of patients that brought POMs (8.85%). In terms of quality, clinical pharmacists found a total of 1,022 medications that have the quality required to be considered and were used as POMs. The total cost of savings was RM4,961.90. In conclusion, a standard checklist of quality criteria to assess POMs can be developed and used in each hospital settings to ensure more systematic assessment of POMs brought by patients. Awareness campaigns on POMs should be promoted to increase more awareness among patient and health care providers.

Evaluation of Bis (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) in the PET Bottled Mineral Water of Different Brands and Impact of Heat by GC-MS/MS

Phthalates are one of the ubiquitous contaminants in the environment due to the extensive use in the last few years. They are easily released because they are not chemically bonded to polymers. They migrate into the food during food packing while in water, they migrate during water filling or storage and bottle manufacturing. They are toxic to human health and known as carcinogen/ endocrine disruptors. A total of sixty PET (polyethylene terephthalate) bottled mineral water samples of different six brands were purchased from the local market of Noida, India. These bottles were of two different batch numbers of each brand. Two bottles of each brand with a different batch number were analyzed immediately after purchase while the other eight bottles were analyzed after two and six months when they were stored in sunlight (~ 45 o C) and - 20 o C. The aim of the present study was to determine the migration of DEHP and its impact on storage conditions of PET bottled mineral water in retail stores or homes. We used a gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS) for the estimation of DEHP in these samples. We observed that the migration of DEHP was dependent on high temperature and storage time. DEHP was present only in those samples, which were stored in sunlight for two & six months and at - 20 o C for six months. While found below the detection limit in those samples which were analyzed immediately after purchase and stored at - 20 o C for two months.

The determination of the phytochemical composition of the Altabor substance

The development of medicines based on alder cone extracts led to the introduction of Altan and Altabormedicines into medical practice. The technology of extraction cake from cones has made it possible to obtain extracts with different therapeutic properties.Aim. To develop an effective method for studying the qualitative composition of the Altabor substance anddetermine the quantitative content of its components.Results and discussion. The Altabor substance is a complex mixture of ellagitannins containing more than 70 components. The main components of the extract (or their isomers) were determined by mass spectrometry and by comparing the retention times with the literature data. Gallic, ellagic, valoneic acids dilactone were conclusively determined by adding reference standards of these acids to the extract. The substance contains the following compounds: 2,3-hexahydroxydiphenoyl-(α/β)-glucose tr1 = 0.55 min, tr2 = 0.89 min (α and β isomers), 4,6-O-[(S)-valeonyl]-D-glucose (isomer) tr = 0.64 min, gallic acid tr = 1.198 min, pedunculagin tr1 = 3.63 min, tr2 = 4.62 min(α and β isomers), proecoxin A (isomer) tr = 4.78 min, valoneic acid dilactone tr = 6.19 min, ellagic acid pentoside (isomer) tr = 7.07 min, ellagic acid tr = 7.335 min.Experimental part. The composition analysis was performed using an Agilent 1200 chromatograph with a UV detector, a G6140 mass detector, an Alltech 3300 light scattering detector (ELSD), as well as the Agilent ChemStation Rev.B.04.03 software. The molecular weights of the compounds in the extract were determined using the method of mass spectrometry of ESI-electrospray ionization. The determination of the components was performed using an ultraviolet detector at a wavelength of 280 nm. The column was Rapid Resolution HT Cartige, 4.6 × 30 mm, 1.8 μm, Zorbax SB-C18.Conclusions. A new effective method of analysis of the Altabor substance has been developed; it allowsdetermining the qualitative and quantitative content of its structural components. The method gives the possibility to control the process of obtaining the Altabor substance, study the dependence of its composition on the conditions of its obtaining, batch number, place, time of the natural raw material collection, and study the composition of other pharmaceutical substances, the plant raw material containing tannins. The advantage of the method isthe short time (up to 10 min) of analysis using high-performance liquid chromatography at high resolution.Key words: gallotannins; ellagitannins; Altabor; chemical composition; structure; HPLC (high-performance liquid chromatography)

QUALITY EVALUATION OF THE INTERNAL METALLIC COATING FOR SOME FOODS THAT AVAILABLE IN THE LOCAL MARKETS

The study aimed to estimate the content of lead and determine the quality of the internal coating of metal cans through electrical conductivity as well as to determine the accuracy of the information card for some types of canned food that available in local markets. The information card test showed that all of these samples contained the name of the food, trade mark, country origin, weight, and components, as was indicated by the company producing in all of them except for the C12 sample which was otherwise, and the batch number was mentioned in all samples except for the C3 and C17 which was not clear and not mentioned in the C21, and the validity period was observed (produce and finish) in all samples except for the C3, which was not clear, and all the samples contained storage conditions and warning signs except for the C1 and C3 that were not mentioned, and the language of the card for all models was Arabic and English as well as the C3 form contained the Persian language and the form C21 on the French language. The lead content (mg/ kg) in all samples was within the permissible limit in the Iraqi standard specifications, and the examination of the electrical conductivity of the internal metallic coating of canned food samples showed that the recorded values for the form C1, C9, C12 and C20 were 19.6±0.2944, 155.2±3.2568, 135.8±2.7725 and 88.5±2.8856 mA respectively, and this indicates the failure of these samples due to the electrical conductivity exceeding 10mA, while the C2, C3, C5, C6, C7, C10 and C11 samples succeeded in passing this test because the electrical conductivity did not exceed the permissible limit, while no examination of the remaining models for failure to fix the electrode at the base of the package.

Quantitative assessment of available probiotic products in community pharmacies in Benin City, Nigeria

Purpose: To assess four probiotic products available in community pharmacies in Benin City, Nigeria for accuracy of information on product labels with regard to the quantity and type of microorganisms, pH and bile tolerance, and antimicrobial activity.Methods: Percent label compliance of products was determined, in addition to isolation, identification and enumeration of microorganisms. Determination of pH and bile tolerance was conducted using turbidity studies in MRS broth. Antimicrobial activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis, Klebsiella pneumonia, Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans pathogens was investigated using agar overlay technique.Results: In each product, there was 100 % label compliance with regard to name of probiotic organism, storage condition, dose, expiration date, contact details and batch number. Three-quarters (75 %) of the probiotic products indicated product net quantity, National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) number, and microbial count; 50 % of products indicated the excipients used, while only 25 % of the products showed their indications. None of the products indicated strain designation. In species identification, Enterococcus faecium was absent in a multi-species product PB1, while PB3 contained Saccharomyces cerevisiae instead of Saccharomyces boulardii. Enumeration showed comparatively low quantities of probiotic organisms. Tolerance to pH 3 and pH 7, and bile levels of 0.3 and 2 % were within acceptable range. The probiotic organisms demonstrated antimicrobial effect specifically against P. aeruginosa, E. coli, B. subtilis, K. pneumonia, S. aureus and C. albicans.Conclusion: Antimicrobial effect and tolerance to pH and bile salts were consistent with acceptable properties of probiotics. However, there is need for total compliance with the indications, strain designation, excipients, and actual quantity of the individual probiotic organisms in the formulations. Keywords: Probiotics, Strain designation, Agar overlay technique, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Saccharomyces boulardii

Blockchain Technology Applied to the Cocoa Export Supply Chain

This chapter recommends applying block chain technology to the cocoa supply chain. Using this technology, it will be possible to show and guarantee the traceability of the final product. Traceability in the cocoa chain begins in the production stages (harvest and post-harvest) to obtain relevant data related to cocoa beans and their producers, promptly, until finding the raw material origin and inputs used during the process. The material provider's name must be considered, as well as the manufacturer's expiration date, the batch number, and the production area's reception date. This is why authors recommend using Block chain, which is a data structure that stores information chronologically in interlinked blocks. It works as a digital master book and the participants reach an agreement to register any information in the blocks. Throughout the chapter, authors show how to apply this technology.